Human Sexuality - midterm 1

Theory

a set of ideas or concepts that are used to explain a set of observed facts

erotic plasticity

the degree to which the sex drive can be shaped and altered by social, cultural, and situational forces

What three levels do sexual scripts influence people on?

cultural, interpersonal, and, intrapsychic

traditional sexual script

A sexual script based on stereotypical standards for sexual behaviour that dictates that males should have a higher sex drive than women, be the initiators of sexual activity, and be responsible for the mutual pleasure of the couple

three basic assumptions of social exchange theory

1. social behaviour is a series of exchanges
2. individuals attempt to maximize their rewards and minimize their costs
3. when individuals receive rewards from others, they feel obligated to reciprocate

When did Alfred Kinsey conduct his research?

Between 1938 and 1949

evolution

the development of a species to its present state, which involves adaptations to its environment

natural selection

the evolutionary process by which adaptive traits enable members of a species to survive to reproductive age and transmit these traits to future generations

Sociobiology

the idea that social behaviour results from evolution

psychoanalysis

the theory of personality originated by Sigmund Freud, which proposes that human behaviour represents the outcome of clashing inner forces

Erogonous Zones

parts of the body, including but not limited to the sex organs, that are responsive to sexual stimulation

psychosexual development

in psychoanalytic theory, the process by which sexual feelings shift from one erogenous zone to another

Oedipus complex

in psychoanalytic theory, a conflict of the phallic stage in which the boy wishes to possess his mother sexually and perceives his father as a rival in love

Behaviorism

a psychological approach to understanding learning, focusing on observable behaviours and emphasizing the role of environmental factors or external stimuli in shaping behaviour

classical conditioning

a process by which an association is formed between a naturally occurring stimulus and a previously neutral one

operant conditioning

a process by which an individual changes his or her behaviour as a result of consequences (e.g., reinforcements or punishments).

social learning theory

a learning theory that proposes learning is a cognitive process that takes places in a social environment, primarily focusing on rewards and punishments as shaping behaviours

social cognitive theory

a cognitively oriented learning theory in which observational learning interacts with behaviour, the environment, and cognition

sexual script theory

a theory that examines sexuality from the standpoint of culturally learned scripts that specify how men and women should behave sexually

social exchange theory

the theory that examines sexuality within relationships in terms of rewards and costs

feminist theory

a theory that focuses on the subordination of women and the unequal status of girls and women in society.

Heterosexism

prejudice or discrimination based on the assumption that heterosexuality is the "normal" state of being

sexual objectification

treating a person as an object for the purposes of sexual gratification

queer theory

A theory that challenges binary categories for gender and sexuality and provides a framework for analyzing the ways that institutions and social norms privilege some people and identities over others.

Intersectionality

a theoretical perspective that considers multiple, intersecting social categories (e.g., gender and race) and how these affect access to power and resources in society

empirical

derived from or based on observation and experimentation

hypothesis

a precise prediction about behaviour that is often derived from theory and past research

Quantitative Research

the collection of numerical data (e.g., percentages) to produce statistics

statistical significance

a relationship found between variables that is likely real or "true" and is not attributed to chance

Qualitative Research

the use of interviews, focus groups, diaries, or other methods to record people's attitudes and experiences

mixed methods research

The mixing of qualitative and quantitative data, methods, methodologies, and/or paradigms in a research study or set of related studies.

Population

a defined group of individuals known to have similar characteristics

sample

A part of the population selected for study

representative sample

a research sample of participants who accurately represent the population of interest

generalize

use information from a particular case or sample to draw conclusions about a larger phenomenon or population

random sample

a sample in which every member of a population has an equal chance of participating

stratified random sampling

a random sample in which known subgroups of a population are represented in proportion to their numbers within the population

volunteer bias

systematic error due to differences between those who volunteer to participate in research studies and those who do not (e.g., their willingness to discuss sexual behaviour)

variables

a person, place, thing, or phenomena researchers attempt to measure in research

demograpic

concerning the vital statistics of a human population (e.g., gender, race, age, education)

Correlation

a statistical measure of the relationship between two variables

correlation coefficient

a statistic that expresses the strength and direction (positive or negative) of the relationship between two variables

survey

a detailed study of a sample obtained using a series of questions administered as questionnaires

validity

the degree to which a test measures what it is intended to measure

Reliability

the consistency or accuracy of a measure

social desirability

a response bias caused by a subject's tendency to provide a socially acceptable answer to a questionnaire or interview question

vasocongestion

congestion resulting from the flow of blood

treatment

an experimental intervention (such as a test, drug, or sex education program) that's administered to participants so its effects can be observed

external validity

the degree to which the results of a study can be generalized to other situations and people

experiment

a scientific method that seeks to confirm cause-and-effect relationships by manipulating independent variables and observing their effects on dependent variables

independent variable

a condition in a scientific study that is manipulated so its effects can be observed

dependent variable

the condition in a scientific study that is believed to be affected by the independent variable(s). The results of the study are assessed by measuring changes in the dependent variable.

penile strain gauge

a device for measuring a man's sexual arousal in terms of changes in penis circumference

vaginal photoplethysmograph

a tampon-shaped probe that is inserted into the vagina to measure the light reflected from the vaginal walls, thereby determining the level of vasocongestion

experimental group

a group of study participants who receive the experimental treatment

control group

a group of study participants who do not receive the experimental treatment. All other conditions are kept the same for the control group as for the experimental group

selection factor

a research bias that may operate when people are allowed to determine whether they will receive an experimental treatment

focus group

a group of individuals brought together to share their attitudes about a specific topic

case study

a carefully drawn, in-depth biography of an individual or a small group of individuals. Tis information may be obtained through interviews, questionnaires, and historical records

observer bias

a bias whereby researchers influence the participants in a study or interpret the results of a study incorrectly as a result of their own assumptions

naturalistic observation

a study method in which organisms are observed in their natural environments

ecological validity

the extent to which research findings would generalize in everyday life

replicate

reproducing study methods and conditions

ethnographic observation

a study methods in which behaviours and customers are observed within a group's native environment

participant observation

a study method in which observers interact with their subjects as they collect data

informed consent

agreement to participate in research after receiving adequate information about the purposes and nature of the study and about its potential risks and benefits

theory

a set of ideas or concepts intended to explain something

multiple regression

a statistical technique that can be used to analyze the relationship between a single dependent variable and several independent variables

What does the vulva consist of?

Mons veneris, the labia majora and labia minora, the clitoris, and vaginal opening

mons veneris

consists of fatty tissue that covers the pubic bone

labia majora

the larger outer folds of the vulva.

labia minora

Smaller pair of skin folds that protect the vaginal opening and urethral opening

clitoris

the female sex organ most sensitive to sexual sensation (2.5 cm long and 0.5 cm wide)

corpora cavernosa

masses of spongy tissue in the clitoral shaft that become engorged with blood and stiffen in response to sexual stimulation

prepuce

the fold of skin covering the glans of the clitoris (or of the penis, in a male).

Homologous

similar in structure; developing from the same embryonic tissue

analogous

similar in function

clitoridectomy

partial or complete removal of the clitoris

vestibule

refers to the area within the labia minora that contains the openings to the vagina and the urethra

urethral opening

The opening through which urine passes from the female's body.

cystitis

inflammation of the bladder (burning and frequent urination)

introitus

the vaginal opening

hymen

a fold of tissue is usually present at birth, it may remain at least partly intact until a women engages in coitus

perineum

the skin and underlying tissue between the vaginal opening and the anus (or between the scrotum and the anus, in a male)

episiotomy

surgical incision of the perineum to enlarge the vagina and so facilitate delivery during childbirth

sphincters

muscular rings that constrict bodily openings, such as the vaginal and anal openings, are also found on both sides

crura

- wing-shaped structures that attach the clitoris to the pubic bone beneath
- internal part of the clitoris; corpus cavernosa tissue

vestibular bulbs

two bulbs, one on each side of the vaginal opening, that engorge with blood during sexual arousal

vagina

the tubular female sex organ that contains the penis during sexual intercourse and through which a baby is born

Bartholin's glands

glands that lie just inside the minor lips and secrete fluid just before orgasm

pubococcygeus muscle

a muscle around the vaginal entrance

douche

application of a jet of liquid to the vagina as a rinse.

vaginitis

inflammation of the vagina caused by infection, birth-control pills, antibiotics, allergic reaction, chemical irritation, poor diet

cervix

lower, neck-like portion of the uterus

os

the opening in the middle of the cervix

uterus

A hollow muscular organ in the pelvic cavity of the female, in which the embryo is nourished and develops before birth

radiotherapy

Treatment of a disease by X-rays or by emissions from a radioactive substance.

pap test

Examination of a sample of cervical cells for cervical cancer and other abnormalities. Named after the originator of the technique, George Papanicolaou.

ovum

egg cell

edometrium

innermost layer of the uterus